Chapter 17
In a school where the elite usually got special treatment, it was odd that Cassie was the exception. The reason was simple- they knew Cassie was the kind of student who’d keep quiet and not tell her parents what went down at school. What the teachers really feared wasn’t the students themselves but the powerful families behind them.
“Did I say something wrong. Mr. Calman?” Cassie challenges, lacking eyes with him. “Or do you think Jennie dumping trash on my desk, tearing up my homework, and making me drink dirty water was just pulling my leg? And me asking her to clean up the mess is what you call bullying?”
Donald was left dumbstruck.
“Do you all feel the same way?” Cassie asked, her gaze sweeping over the other teachers. Despite her calm demeanor, her presence was intimidating, silencing those who had just came down on her from their moral high horse. The room was dead quiet at the moment.
Donald’s face drained of color. “Cassie, you used to be such a good student. What happened to you?” He sounded extremely disappointed
Cassie lowered her head and let out a laugh. Her voice was soft, get it sent chills down everyone’s spine. The mood in the office turned icy.
In her past life, she had thrived on compliments like, “Cassie, you’re such a model student,” “Cassie, you come from the best family,” or “Cassie, you’re the perfect wife.
She had endured endless pain just to hear such praise. But in the end, all she got was a destroyed family and a life lost in
flames
“Yeah, I used to be a good student. I never looked down on teachers like some rich kids did because of my family’s wealth. I was obedient and respectful…” Her smile turned more and more bitter “But it seems that kind of student isn’t valued around here
The office fell into complete silence.
This isn’t looking too good, is it?” Cassie tilted her chin slightly, her tone nonchalant but edged with steel.
“Cassie, I think you’ve got us all wrong.” Tina said, her voice shaky. “We treat all students the same.
“Do you really believe that?” Cassie shot her a pointed look. “That’s all I’ve got to say. If you teachers have nothing more to teach me, I’m heading back to class. If you still have a problem with me, I suggest you call my parents.”
With that, Cassie didn’t wait for Donald to respond and strode out of the office, leaving the teachers exchanging glances, stunned
“Did she lose her mind?”
“This isn’t just losing her mind. She must have really flipped.”
“Unbelievable!” Donald slammed his hand on the table again. “Just because she comes from a wealthy family, she thinks she can do whatever she wants? People like her are just a drain on society”
“Calm down, Donald. It’s not just about her money. We can’t afford to cross her, Tina said, a sour tone in her voice. “Honestly, there’s not much we can do.”
“I don’t think so, Henry said with a shrug. “The big exams are coming up. If she keeps acting out and flunks her tests, we might have a way to straighten her out.
Donald’s e
‘s eyes lit up. “I almost forgot about that, Cassie’s as dum as a rock. Let’s just wait After the exams, we’ll settle the
score.
There were dorms at the school, but hardly any students actually stayed overnight. They mainly served as a spot for the rich kids to relax and have fun. The dorm rooms were luxury singles complete with private bathrooms and closets-better than some five-star hotels
Jennie had just showered and changed into clean clothes. Now, she sat in front of her vanity, spraying perfume like crazy, She had washed several times, but the awful sell from earlier fast wouldn’t fade.
Jennie, what’s up with Cassie today? She’s acting like a totally different person,” asked Brianna Jones, one of Jennie’s friends.
“Can we not talk about that b**h? It makes me sick.” Jennie snapped, suddenly throwing her perfume bottle across the room. Glass shattered everywhere, and the other girls screamed.
Jennic, we’ve been bullied too! Why are you laking it out on us? We all feel the same way right now. Let’s think of a solid plan for revenge, Brianna said firmly.
“Great, and how do you suggest we get back at her? She has got Murphy Group involved. You really think we can handle her like we used to Jennie replied impatiently. When Cassie had shoved her into a trash heap earlier, these so-called “friends” hadn’t said a word.
“How about we find a spot without cameras, throw her in a bag, and drag her off for a little beating?” a girl with brightly colored hair suggested.
Didn’t you see her bodyguards this morning? There’s no way we’re winning,” Jennie shot back, rolling her eyes.
Just then, Brianna stepped closer with a sly smile. “What’s the fun in just throwing punches? The Murphy family is mixed up in something way more interesting we could take advantage ofBelonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“Just spill it.” Jennie’s patience wore thin. She was overwhelmed by the lingering odor.
Julia’s mess is still trending. Those gossip reporters are all over the Murphy family’s estate right now. I bet they don’t even know Cassie is back at school yet, Brianna said, looking at Jennie with a meaningful glance.
Jennie paused for a moment, then her eyes brightened. “Right! Why didn’t I think of that? Let’s tip off those gossip reporters and let them wait at the school gate when classes end”
Cassie’s first day back at school, after she was being transported to the past, ended in a cheerful atmosphere.
Larry pulled up right on time to pick her up from the school building. This wasn’t his first time picking up Cassie after school, but today, he noticed the students looking at him with strange expressions.
While Larry was trying to make sense of it all, Cassie walked out of the building casually with her backpack in her hand.
As Larry moved to greet Cassie, the nearby students suddenly parted like the Red Sea, quickly stepping aside to create a wide path for her.
Larry was shocked and asked Cassie curiously as he took her backpack from her, “Anything weird happened today, Ms. Murphy
Cassie squinted and smiled, “Not at all. Today was a great day.”
“Okay” Larry glanced again at the visibly nervous students, then opened the car door for Cassie. Once she settled in, Larry jumped into the driver’s seat and drove toward the school gate.
The students exchanged worried glances, unsure of how to react After a while, one student broke the silence. “How did I not notice before? Cassie’s legs are so long, and she looks amazing. When she smiled just now, it felt like she lit up the whole place.”
Totally…”
“But she’s a bit scary. Remember this morning when she yanked Jennie’s hair and shoved her into the trash? That freaked me
Tm kind of satisfied, though. After all, they bullied her a lot more before.”
As chatter filled the air, the once-quiet crowd buzzed with excitement. Some thought Cassie was really cool, while others criticized her for bullying. But mostly, they were just enjoying the drama.
Just then, someone shouted. “Holy cat! There are tons of reporters blocking the school gate!”
Larry’s face darkened. Just ten minutes ago, he had checked the area around the school, and there were no reporters in sight
“Ms. Murphy, please step out and comment on the recent news about Julia!”
“Don’t hide in the car. We came all this way. You should at least say a few words.”
Lots of reporters pressed up against the car windows and shouted, their faces twisted and eager.
They had covered the wealthy elite for years and knew all about the Murphy family. They had mocked Cassie before for her quirky looks, and now that they had a chance to corner Cassie, the Murphy family’s easy target, they weren’t going to pass it up
Larry frowned. “How did so many reporters show up all at once)
Cassie was glued to her phone, her slender fingers flying over the screen as she typed.
Larry turned back to check on her and was shocked by what he saw.
Everyone knew Cassie hated being in front of the camera-she was terrified of it. But due to her family’s status, she couldn’t escape the spotlight. Larry had seen her trembling and staring at the ground whenever there were cameras around.
But now, she seemed completely unfazed by the chaos outside. She sat there, expressionless, typing on her phone as if nothing mattered.
“Larry, please tell them I’ll do the interview,” Cassie said, looking up at him, her charming eyes deep and unreadable.
Larry was about to object. Yet, the moment he met her gaze, he found himself nodding instinctively. He quickly snapped
back to reality and added, “No way, these reporters are relentless, You can’t handle them.”